It's sick or injured
It's orphaned
I need it removed
Wildlife Hotline
614-793-WILD
(9453)          

Rehabilitation

Humans are always a young wild animal’s last hope for survival, never its best hope.  A young animal should only be removed from the wild after all avenues to reunite it with adult animals have been explored.

THE LAW
Native wild animals are legally protected.  It is illegal for anyone to posess a native wild animal unless permitted by the Ohio Division of Wildlife. A person found possessing wildlife illegally can be subject to fines, imprisonment and/or restitution.

A recent press release from the Ohio Division of Wildlife reiterates the need for people who want to help native wildlife to ask questions prior to intervening.  The goal is to keep the "wild" in wildlife! Click here for more info.

WILDLIFE REHABILITATION AT OWC
The OWC Hospital operates in a veterinary hospital and has an excellent reputation for medical treatment of injured, sick, displaced and orphaned wildlife with the goal of returning a healthy individual back to the wild for independence. Founded by local veterinarian Donald L. Burton, OWC is the only hospital of its kind in the region and admits and treats nearly 5,000 native animals each year.

Qualified healthy animals are transferred to the OWC pre-release facility (PRF), which is housed at OWC's education property in Powell.  The PRF is tucked back on a quiet piece of land where the animals become acclimated to living with minimal human interaction before release.  
 

Photo by Debra Keller
photo by David Harrison

 This red-tailed hawk was treated for an injured wing and was successfully rehabilitated at OWC.  This photo is of the animal's release back into the wild in September, 2007.

GENERAL WILDLIFE REHABILITATION
Wildlife rehabilitation is the process of caring for injured, orphaned or sick wild animals and releasing them back to the wild when they are able to survive on their own.  Permits are required from the Ohio Division of Wildlife to rehabilitate any native wild animals. Additional permits are required from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife service to rehabilitate native birds.  Wildlife rehabilitators throughout Ohio also answer thousands of telephone calls from the public about wild animals.

WILD INFANTS

  

photo by Scott Schisler

More often than not, infant animals do not need our help. Please read through all the provided information before removing them from their natural habitat.

Find out more - do they need your help?

For additional questions concerning wildlife rehabilitation in central Ohio contact our Wildlife Hotline at 614-793-WILD or contact the Ohio Division of Wildlife Office near you. 

Our Wildlife Hotline is the only service in Ohio responding to wildlife emergencies 365 days a year to anyone seeking help with wildlife situations. 
The Red-tailed hawk is a medium-sized bird of prey found throughout North America. It is generally non-aggressive toward humans and other birds and is an opportunistic feeder with a diet mostly of small mammals. Raccoons are opportunistic eaters and can be avoided by keeping garbage and compost piles secure, and keeping pet food inside. Photo by Scott Schisler American bullfrogs are common in Ohio and recognized by their deep, throaty song. Photo by Dr. Don Burton Canada goslings are born in the spring and by fall are mature and ready to fly south with their flock. Photo by Katherine Clifton Coyotes were introduced to Ohio and have thrived in urban environments. This coyote, Hope, was unreleasable because she was hand-raised by humans before sent to OWC, and so lacks certain survival skills. Photo by Sue Simunich Mother deer tell their fawns to stay still and low (often curled up) all day while she is away. She will return at dusk and likely move them to a new spot. This is a safety precaution for the fawns, but many times fawns are mistaken to be orphans because of it. Photo by Scott Schisler Black rat snakes are native Ohio snakes. This snake resides at OWC because of injuries that would compromise its ability to survive in the wild. Photo by Sue Simunich. The Chukar is a game-bird in the pheasant family, originally from Asia but introduced to the United States. This Chukar is Tori, who resides at OWC. Photo by Sue Simuncich This male American Kestrel also resides at OWC and can be seen at the center’s outdoor wildlife display. Photo by Deb Keller You may see Eastern Gray squirrels like this in your backyard, consuming seeds, acorns, insects, eggs and other nuts. Photo by Sue Simunich The population of the Leopard frog is decreasing due to pollution and deforestation. They are often good indicators for environmental problems because of their sensitivity to chemical pollutants found both in the air and the water. Photo by Sue Simunich Most Snapping turtles eat plants, small mammals, fish and birds and are quick to take off your finger if you get too close. Photo by Sue Simunich Despite what it looks like, those big tuffs on the top of this Great-horned owl’s head are not ears. To predators, they may look like an easy way to grab the owl, but they are actually just feathers. Photo by Sue Simunich The American Bald Eagle is an endangered species. Photo by Katherine Clifton Male Cardinals are recognized by their bright red appearance. Photo by Scott Schisler The Eastern Fox snake resides in Ohio, Michigan and parts of Canada in flat, marshy areas. Fox snakes will eat primarily small rodents, but will also eat small birds, rabbits and other small animals. Photo by Sue Simunich The wings of the male Kestrel are slate-blue. Females are rusty to match the back feathers. Photo by Deb Keller Flying squirrels are one of the most common squirrels in Ohio, although they are rarely seen because they are nocturnal (meaning they are awake at night time). Photo by Deb Keller Red fox kits stay with their mother and siblings for several months and then go off on their own typically in July. Foxes are generally shy animals. Photo by Scott Schisler The Painted turtle is a reptile that is common in southern Canada, the US, and Mexico and is related to other water turtles like sliders and cooters. They live in ponds, marshes, and slow-moving rivers with muddy bottoms. Photo by Deb Keller Great horned owls hunt at night by waiting on a high perch to swoop down on prey. They eat small to medium-sized mammals like rats, voles, skunks and rabbits. Photo by Deb Keller Blanding’s turtles are a semi-aquatic species found mostly near the Great Lakes regions. Photo by Sue Simunich The Virginia Opossum is about the size of a house cat and “plays dead” as a defense mechanism from predators. Photo by Sue Simunich White-tailed deer have been forced to adapt to urban environments as their natural home is being destroyed by human development. Photo by Katherine Clifton Canada geese are dedicated parents and very social. When one goose is fatigued while flying, they will make sure it is not alone while it rests and will fly in shifts. Photo by Katherine Clifton Bobwhite quails are ground-dwelling birds found in North America, Central America and the Caribbean. Photo by Deb Keller Raccoon mothers will call out to their young should they fall from a tree or get lost. As long as she sees them or hears their cries, she will do whatever it takes to retrieve them. Photo by Owen DeWolfe In flight, Red-tailed hawks flap as little as possible to conserve energy. Their flight is slow and deliberate, with deep beats of their wings. Photo by David Harrison The male Red-winged Blackbird fiercely defends his territory during the breeding season. He may spend more than a quarter of all the daylight hours in territory defense. He vigorously keeps all other males out of the territory and defends the nests from predators. He will attack much larger animals, including horses and people. (birds.cornell.edu) Photo by Tripp Braden